{"title":"Seed ecology of post-fire flowering species from the Cerrado","authors":"Hudson G. V. Fontenele, H. Miranda","doi":"10.1017/S0960258522000277","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258522000277","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Post-fire flowering (PFF) species resprout, flower and disperse seeds within weeks after fire. This may be an important strategy to recruit new individuals and colonize the gaps opened by fire. The seeds released in the post-fire environment may interact with byproducts derived from plant burning, and the resulting ash may have compounds that can promote the germination of various seeds, particularly those with permeable coats. In the Cerrado ecoregion, PFF is a strategy commonly observed in the species of the ground layer, but their seeds are rarely investigated. So, we examined the quality and the germination of the seeds of 13 species that disperse seeds within 3 months after fire. We estimated the amount of empty, filled and predated seeds for each species, and tested the germination with or without ash. There was a clear separation in seed quality as dicots produced 35–75% filled seeds but grasses <15%. Pre-dispersal predation was only observed for dicots (<10%). Ash stimulated the germination of two out of the three dormant species but inhibited the germination of three non-dormant species. Overall, the seeds produced in response to fire are an important source of genetic variability in an ecosystem that has resprouting as the main persistence strategy. As most species have non-dormant seeds, ash may only be important to stimulate the germination of few PFF species. Even so, ash can be completely washed away by rains before seeds are dispersed and may not have an effect under field conditions.","PeriodicalId":21711,"journal":{"name":"Seed Science Research","volume":"32 1","pages":"222 - 229"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44988462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara Gomez-Cabellos, P. Toorop, E. Fernández‐Pascual, P. Iannetta, H. Pritchard, A. Visscher
{"title":"(Epi)genetic control of secondary seed dormancy depth and germination in Capsella bursa-pastoris","authors":"Sara Gomez-Cabellos, P. Toorop, E. Fernández‐Pascual, P. Iannetta, H. Pritchard, A. Visscher","doi":"10.1017/S0960258522000265","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258522000265","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Despite the importance of secondary dormancy for plant life cycle timing and survival, there is insufficient knowledge about the (epigenetic) regulation of this trait at the molecular level. Our aim was to determine the role of (epi)genetic processes in the regulation of secondary seed dormancy using natural genotypes of the widely distributed Capsella bursa-pastoris. Seeds of nine ecotypes were exposed to control conditions or histone deacetylase inhibitors [trichostatin A (TSA), valproic acid] during imbibition to study the effects of hyper-acetylation on secondary seed dormancy induction and germination. Valproic acid increased secondary dormancy and both compounds caused a delay of t50 for germination (radicle emergence) but not of t50 for testa rupture, demonstrating that they reduced speed of germination. Transcriptome analysis of one accession exposed to valproic acid versus water showed mixed regulation of ABA, negative regulation of GAs, BRs and auxins, as well as up-regulation of SNL genes, which might explain the observed delay in germination and increase in secondary dormancy. In addition, two accessions differing in secondary dormancy depth (deep vs non-deep) were studied using RNA-seq to reveal the potential regulatory processes underlying this trait. Phytohormone synthesis or signalling was generally up-regulated for ABA (e.g. NCED6, NCED2, ABCG40, ABI3) and down-regulated for GAs (GA20ox1, GA20ox2, bHLH93), ethylene (ACO1, ERF4-LIKE, ERF105, ERF109-LIKE), BRs (BIA1, CYP708A2-LIKE, probable WRKY46, BAK1, BEN1, BES1, BRI1) and auxin (GH3.3, GH3.6, ABCB19, TGG4, AUX1, PIN6, WAT1). Epigenetic candidates for variation in secondary dormancy depth include SNL genes, histone deacetylases and associated genes (HDA14, HDA6-LIKE, HDA-LIKE, ING2, JMJ30), as well as sequences linked to histone acetyltransferases (bZIP11, ARID1A-LIKE), or to gene silencing through histone methylation (SUVH7, SUVH9, CLF). Together, these results show that phytohormones and epigenetic regulation play an important role in controlling differences in secondary dormancy depth between accessions.","PeriodicalId":21711,"journal":{"name":"Seed Science Research","volume":"32 1","pages":"200 - 221"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2022-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43566108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Seed (true seed plus endocarp) dormancy in Anacardiaceae in relation to infrafamilial taxonomy and endocarp anatomy","authors":"J. Baskin, C. Baskin","doi":"10.1017/S096025852200023X","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S096025852200023X","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Information in the literature and unpublished results of the authors on Dobinea were used to determine the kind [class(es)] of seed (true seed + endocarp) dormancy and of non-dormancy of genera in all five tribes of Anacardiaceae, and the results were examined in relation to the taxonomic position and endocarp anatomy within the family. Reports of both seed germination and endocarp anatomy were found for 15 genera in tribe Spondiadeae, 6 in tribe Anacardieae, 30 in tribe Rhoeae, 3 in tribe Semecarpeae and 1 in tribe Dobineeae. In Spondiadeae (Spondias-type endocarp), Anacardieae, Semecarpeae and Dobineeae (Anacardium-type endocarp), seeds are either non-dormant (ND) or have physiological dormancy (PD). In Rhoeae (Anacardium-type Rhoeae Groups A, B, C and D endocarps), on the other hand, seeds are ND or have physical dormancy (PY), PD or PY + PD. PY/PY + PD in this tribe seems to be restricted (or nearly so) to Rhus s.s. and closely related genera (e.g. Cotinus, Malosma and Toxicodendron) with an Anacardium-type Rhoeae Group A endocarp. However, seeds of other genera (e.g. Astronium and Schinus) with this type of endocarp and those with Rhoeae Group B (e.g. Pistacia), Group C (e.g. Pentaspadon) and Group D (e.g. Heeria) endocarps are either ND or have PD. The fossil fruit record strongly suggests that present-day relationships between diaspore dormancy (or non-dormancy), endocarp structure and taxonomic position within Anacardiaceae extend back to at least the Palaeogene.","PeriodicalId":21711,"journal":{"name":"Seed Science Research","volume":"32 1","pages":"187 - 199"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2022-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43928020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
María Cecilia Acosta, Vilma Teresa Manfreda, María Luciana Alcaraz, S. Alemano, H. F. Causin
{"title":"Germination responses in Zephyranthes tubispatha seeds exposed to different thermal conditions and the role of antioxidant metabolism and several phytohormones in their control","authors":"María Cecilia Acosta, Vilma Teresa Manfreda, María Luciana Alcaraz, S. Alemano, H. F. Causin","doi":"10.1017/S0960258522000228","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258522000228","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Zephyranthes tubispatha is an ornamental species distributed along several countries of South America. Although it can be multiplied through bulbs or scales, seed germination is a simpler and more cost-effective process. Temperature plays a major role in the control of germination; however, its effect has been scarcely investigated in this species. In the present work, we characterized the germination responses of Z. tubispatha seeds to different temperatures and analyzed the role of key components of the antioxidant metabolism and phytohormones in their control. Seeds showed an optimal temperature range for germination between 14 and 20°C, with higher temperatures (HTs) being progressively inhibitory. While germination was almost nil above 28°C, it could be recovered after transferring the seeds to 20°C, suggesting that thermoinhibition was the underlying phenomenon. The duration of the HT incubation period affected both the time to germination onset and the germination rate at 20°C. Similarly, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the production of reactive oxygen species in the embryo and the sensitivity to some germination promoters varied depending on the duration of the HT treatment. The addition of 20 μM fluridone was sufficient to recover germination dynamics as in the control treatment when given after a long-term incubation period (25 d) at HT. Ethephon supply was more effective than gibberellins to suppress thermoinhibition, suggesting that changes in the balance and/or sensitivity to ethylene and abscisic acid over time play an important role in the regulation of germination responses to thermal cues in this species.","PeriodicalId":21711,"journal":{"name":"Seed Science Research","volume":"32 1","pages":"230 - 245"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2022-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46825721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Petrosyan, S. Thijs, R. Piwowarczyk, K. Ruraż, J. Vangronsveld, W. Kaca
{"title":"Characterization and diversity of seed endophytic bacteria of the endemic holoparasitic plant Cistanche armena (Orobanchaceae) from a semi-desert area in Armenia","authors":"K. Petrosyan, S. Thijs, R. Piwowarczyk, K. Ruraż, J. Vangronsveld, W. Kaca","doi":"10.1017/S0960258522000204","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258522000204","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract We explored the seed-associated bacterial endophytic microbiome in seeds of the endemic holoparasitic species Cistanche armena from a saline and arid habitat in Armenia. A combination of culture-dependent and molecular techniques was employed for identifying the seed endomicrobiome (culturable and unculturable). From surface-sterilized seeds, 10 phyla, comprising 256 endophytic bacterial genera, were identified. Of the culturable strains, we also investigated the plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits. Most of the isolates were spore forming, halotolerant and alkaliphile Bacillus spp., indicating that the endophytic bacteria of C. armena seeds own traits related to the natural habitat of their host plant. Our results confirm that Bacillus species are common and dominated endophytes from plants growing on saline and arid soils. Pantoea spp. and Stenotrophomonas spp. are more favourable PGP endophytes in seeds of C. armena. The PGP traits of these bacteria, such as production of indole, a precursor of auxin, ACC-deaminase and organic acids have the potential to improve the tolerance of their host plants against the abiotic stresses present in their natural habitat. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report concerning bacterial seed endophytes of the C. armena.","PeriodicalId":21711,"journal":{"name":"Seed Science Research","volume":"32 1","pages":"264 - 273"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2022-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48482459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Makrina Diakaki, Liesbeth van der Heijden, J. G. Lopez-Reyes, Anita van Nieuwenhoven, M. Notten, Mirjam Storcken, P. Butterbach, J. Köhl, W. de Boer, J. Postma
{"title":"Beetroot and spinach seed microbiomes can suppress Pythium ultimum infection: results from a large-scale screening","authors":"Makrina Diakaki, Liesbeth van der Heijden, J. G. Lopez-Reyes, Anita van Nieuwenhoven, M. Notten, Mirjam Storcken, P. Butterbach, J. Köhl, W. de Boer, J. Postma","doi":"10.1017/S0960258522000186","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258522000186","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Seed health is an indispensable prerequisite of food security. While the toolkit of plant protection products is currently limited, evidence suggests that the seed microbiome could protect seeds from pathogens. Thus, given their possible disease suppressive potential, we tested 11 different pathosystems to achieve the following proof-of-concept: seed microbiomes can be beneficial for seed health through conferring disease suppression. This study focused on beetroot, onion, spinach, pepper, coriander, red fescue and perennial ryegrass seeds, with each crop being challenged with one or two from a total of six pathogens, namely Pythium ultimum (or a Pythium sp.), Setophoma terrestris, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora capsici, Laetisaria fuciformis and a mix of Puccinia sp. isolates. Each seed lot of each crop was tested with and without treatment with a disinfectant as a proxy for comparing intact seed microbiomes with seed microbiomes after partial elimination by disinfection. We found disease suppression in two pathosystems. Beetroot and spinach seed lots were able to suppress disease caused by P. ultimum when their microbiomes were intact but not after seed disinfection. We speculate that this relates to the microorganisms residing on and in the seed. Yet, seed microbiome disease suppression was not found in all pathosystems, highlighting the variation in seed morphology, plant cultivars, pathogens and seed disinfection treatments. A holistic understanding of the characteristics of seeds that harbour suppressive microbiomes as well as the pathogens that are sensitive to suppression could lead to more targeted and informed seed processing and treatment and, consequently, to the sustainable management of seedling diseases.","PeriodicalId":21711,"journal":{"name":"Seed Science Research","volume":"32 1","pages":"274 - 282"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2022-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46325265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Editorial to the special issue on Seed Innovation Systems for the 21st Century","authors":"L. Colville, H. Hilhorst, H. Pritchard","doi":"10.1017/S0960258522000241","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258522000241","url":null,"abstract":"This Special Issue on Seed Innovation Systems for the 21st Century follows on from the International Society for Seed Science virtual conference in August 2021. The conference was organized by the Seed and Stress Biology group of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the United Kingdom. The conference programme comprised 5 plenary, 10 keynote, 60 oral and 40 poster presentations across five themes and attracted a global audience of 350 participants from 47 countries.","PeriodicalId":21711,"journal":{"name":"Seed Science Research","volume":"32 1","pages":"115 - 117"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49617062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Seed dormancy concepts in orchids: Dendrobium cruentum as a model species","authors":"S. Prasongsom, K. Thammasiri, H. Pritchard","doi":"10.1017/S0960258522000198","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258522000198","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Generally, orchids produce dust-like seeds in which endosperm reduction and embryo undifferentiation represent a derived state shared with species in about 11 other plant families. Orchid seeds are proposed to have a special kind of morphological or morphophysiological dormancy. We test this proposition, overcoming several design limitations of earlier studies, specifically that the in vitro germination method for orchid seeds uses pro-oxidants for disinfection and incorporates nitrate in the medium; both ‘treatments’ might contribute to dormancy breaking, potentially confounding judgement on the depth and nature of the dormant state. Seeds of the tropical orchid Dendrobium cruentum Rchb. f., were sown both in vitro, on a nutrient medium, and ex vitro, on plain agar omitting prior disinfection with sodium hypochlorite. Seeds previously stored and fresh seeds were incubated under combinations of vitro conditions, light treatments, constant or alternating temperatures and nitrate concentration. Seeds of D. cruentum are very small but have a large embryo that occupies most of the seed. Over a range of constant temperature seeds germinated to the spherical protocorm stage just as well ex vitro as in vitro. Neither light nor nitrate were prerequisites for ex vitro germination. The ability of D. cruentum seed to germinate in the absence of environmental or chemical stimuli suggests that mature seed can be non-dormant. Our results support the proposition that neither all DUST seed fit a dormancy class nor all orchids produce morphological or morphophysiological seeds. Finally, embryo/seed volume determinations in orchids may prove as valuable in studies on the evolution and ecology of germination and dormancy as embryo:seed ratios in other angiosperm species.","PeriodicalId":21711,"journal":{"name":"Seed Science Research","volume":"32 1","pages":"175 - 186"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45959823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Stimulatory and inhibitory effects of light on Cereus repandus (Cactaceae) seed germination are strongly dependent on spectral quality","authors":"X-Y. Yang, H. Pritchard","doi":"10.1017/S0960258522000150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960258522000150","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In small seeds, light often promotes germination and longer-term exposure to darkness reduces light sensitivity. In cacti inhabiting harsh environments, a rapid response to light exposure is potentially advantageous for seedling establishment. We exposed dark-imbibed seeds of the cactus Cereus repandus to doses of red (RED) light and far-red (FR) light. The seeds exhibited positive photoblastism to RED light. Although the initial levels of germination varied between seed lots, the sensitivity to increasing the RED dose did not. As little as 5 min per day for 4 d was sufficient to saturate the light requirement for germination. The effects of RED light were reversed by FR exposure as long as the interval between RED and FR did not extend to 2 d, by which time the seeds had ‘committed’ to germinate. Dark incubation for 1–2 weeks prior to RED exposure reduced light sensitivity in two seed lots, such that RED only promoted around 20% germination. Phytochrome is assumed to mediate the reversibility of the RED:FR response. High sensitivity to light spectral quality suggests that seeds of C. repandus are able to germinate quickly in high-quality microsites, but seed burial or shading may commit the seeds to form a soil seed bank. The light characteristics of the germination trait in this species are typical of many small seeded species of the drylands.","PeriodicalId":21711,"journal":{"name":"Seed Science Research","volume":"32 1","pages":"166 - 174"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2022-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42764538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ana Lívia Martins Scarpa, F. A. Rodrigues, Yasmini da Cunha Cruz, V. Duarte, E. D. de Castro, M. Pasqual, F. J. Pereira
{"title":"Seed germination, initial growth and leaf anatomy of seedlings of four tree species grown in mine tailings in Brazil","authors":"Ana Lívia Martins Scarpa, F. A. Rodrigues, Yasmini da Cunha Cruz, V. Duarte, E. D. de Castro, M. Pasqual, F. J. Pereira","doi":"10.1017/s0960258522000174","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/s0960258522000174","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The objective of this study was to test the tolerance of two species of Schinus and two species of Handroanthus cultivated in iron mining tailings from the rupture of the dam in Mariana, Brazil. Samples of mining tailings were collected 1 km away from the dam location and then dried, stored in plastic bags and further analysed for elemental composition. The seeds, later seedlings, were cultivated in the mining waste and in sand in two experiments separately and the experimental design was in a 2 × 3 factorial scheme (two substrates and three combinations of species), with six replications (n = 36). After 60 d of the establishment of the experiments, the germination data, biometric and anatomical measurements of the leaves were evaluated, in addition to the elemental characterization of the tailings. Mining tailings showed macro and micronutrients in addition to potentially toxic elements (As, Al, Cr, Pb and Ni). Seeds germinated and seedlings survived in the mining tailings. Mining tailings reduced the seedling emergence in Handroanthus, whereas it increased the emergence in S. molle and had no significant effect in S. terebinthifolia. Mining tailings reduced the number and length of roots in Schinus but increased these traits in Handroanthus species. Moreover, mining tailings reduced the fresh mass in Handroanthus but had no effect in the Schinus species. Mining tailings reduced the palisade and spongy parenchyma Handroanthus but only the spongy parenchyma was reduced in Schinus species. Therefore, mining tailings provided conditions for seed germination and seedling growth and Schinus species showed higher tolerance.","PeriodicalId":21711,"journal":{"name":"Seed Science Research","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2022-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43795256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}